Take Back Control of Your Mind: A Guide to Understanding, Taming, and Controlling Your Thoughts and Emotions, and Thereby Achieving True Happiness and Inner Peace

Take Back Control of Your Mind: A Guide to Understanding, Taming, and Controlling Your Thoughts and Emotions, and Thereby Achieving True Happiness and Inner Peace by Glenn N. Levine
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

An exceptionally well-written motivational self-help book...

In order to control various elements of our lives successfully we need to be able to control our mind in one way or another. Our mind is powerful yet hard to alter. We can control our bodily functions easily, such as relaxing and contracting muscles, slowing our breathing or even calming our fears. But what about the mental attributes? Such as improving self-esteem, increasing confidence or even becoming happier. If you can gain access to your subconscious, you can alter your mind's thinking pattern associated with these thoughts.

Take Back Control of Your Mind by Dr. Glenn N. Levine is an exceptionally well-written motivational self-help book. It’s a book that will help you to clarify your thinking, process your feelings, and make better decisions. If you are you ready to stop drifting and design a life you love, this book with help you on your journey. The author has put his heart in the pages of this book and will encourage and give hope to the reader.

The overall tone was simply imparting knowledge, personal experience and wisdom in a gentle and generous way. His words will help to better equip you to interpret and handle life in a whole new way, which in turn will bring peace, love and joy into your life.

One of the best self-help books I’ve read in years. Highly recommended and a well-deserved five stars from me.

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Why Liv? by Jon Sebastian Shifrin

Why Liv? by Jon Sebastian Shifrin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

An entertaining page-turning story...

The great escape from office life are thoughts which flood the minds of many people living in quiet desperation of yet another day on the job. Why Liv? by Jon Sebastian Shifrin tells the story of a corporate employee in his 20s disillusioned with his job, his shallow girlfriend, his narcissistic parents and the current political landscape he finds himself in. So, he up sticks and moves to Spain.

George Bernard Shaw once said, “The problem with political jokes is that they get elected.” People enjoy political humor because it’s something that everyone can relate to. The public generally blames the government for everything, so everyone basically appreciates humor in politics. In truth, this particular source of hilarity is almost always delivered in a satire-like manner.

Why Liv? is cleverly written and witty. This book is a satire, and a good one. It’s an entertaining, page-turning story that will keep the reader involved. The core of the story ‘humbly attempts to offer a reason to persevere in these difficult times.’


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Boot: A Sorta Novel of Vietnam

Boot: A Sorta Novel of Vietnam by Charles L. Templeton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Funny how mad the world can be sometimes..

Inspired by the author’s own experiences of US military operations during the Vietnam War, Boot: A Sorta Novel of Vietnam by Charles Templeton combines both satire and psychology in this wonderfully written and richly descriptive historical fiction.

There’s no doubt for me that Boot: A Sorta Novel of Vietnam is an exceptionally well-written book. However, it must be said that this story is not for the faint-hearted. The author’s script at times is razor-sharp and will cut deep into the emotions of its reader. There are shocking and intensely graphic scenes. Nevertheless, the themes and outcome are just as affecting in the arresting contemporary landscape when you consider you don’t have to look too far to see the appalling consequences of war even today.

This ‘Sorta Novel’ could only have been written by an individual who experienced war firsthand. Read it and you’ll know what I mean. Highly recommended and a well deserved five stars from me.

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Nightmare Along the River Nile

Nightmare Along the River Nile by S.E. Nelson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A powerful narrative about a young man and his loyal friends...

Enslaving another human being is one of the greatest crimes against humanity. Simply because it robs the person of their sense of self, the ability to develop their unlimited potential, and their individual freedom. Slavery was one of the most horrific events in human history, however, this atrocity against humanity continues to this day. The author states that this story was inspired by actual events that happened to many young boys and girls in the 1990s in Northern Uganda, who were abducted by the LRA rebels.

Nightmare Along the River Nile by S. E. Nelson is a fact-based story set against the backdrop of the brutality, oppression and slavery against the people of sub-Saharan Africa. The author tells of Edgar, while on his way home after finishing high school exams, ‘his bus is ambushed by rebels of the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) in northern Uganda. He and other students are abducted and taken to the LRA headquarters in Sudan where evil awaits. He finds himself caught up in a nightmare he never imagined, and his life is forever changed. Edgar's friends learn of his fate and embark on a challenging and unpredictable rescue mission full of twists and turns.’

Books that cover this kind of subject matter deserve to do well. The author must be commended for highlighting a despicable truth that still goes on in the world today. However, for me, the writing style made this a somewhat difficult read. I found it detracted from the overall message and the urgency desperately needed to bring about an end to modern-day slavery. With additional proofreading and editorial attention this book has the potential of making a great piece of writing. 3 ½ stars from me.

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The Fourth Year Spell

The Fourth Year Spell by Amanda Jeffery
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Spells And Potions Sprinkled With Sex And Sorcery...

Author Amanda Jeffery constructs a well-crafted fantasy, action and adventure novella. With intriguing twists and turns, it will easily captivate the reader’s attention from the beginning. The author paints an exciting and adventurous story of sex and sorcery in a very vivid and convincing way. In addition, the characters are drawn with great credibility and conviction.

The story had every element a good story should have. A solid and captivating plot, attention to detail, but best of all fleshed out, well-written and well-rounded character development. There’s plenty of imagery in the writing style that makes you feel like you are right there in the story, and that’s something I look for in a good book.

The book description gives a sneak preview: ‘Declan Devereaux is finally ready to complete his Fourth Year Spell so he can move on to the next year of studies. All that's left is one ingredient and he's ready to get it from the Mayor's Manor. Unbeknownst to Declan, the local Thieve's Guild also has plans to rob the Manor on the same night. When they meet mid-robbery, Declan casts a spell that sets the four of them on a path that may end at the gallows.’

I enjoyed the story, character development, and dialogue. There were plenty of plot twists that I didn’t see coming and that added to the book’s mystique. It was one of those books that comes along occasionally that makes you want to read it non-stop until you get to the end. For those looking for an interesting, three-dimensional and stimulating short read, this would be a great find.  I’m giving nothing further away here. And this, I hope, will only add to the mystery and enjoyment for the reader.

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Healing with Psychedelics: Essays and Poems on Spirituality and Transformation

Healing with Psychedelics: Essays and Poems on Spirituality and Transformation by Chris Becker
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A walk toward health and freedom, guided by the healing power of love...

Spiritual healing is the oldest type of healing known to humanity. There has always been some form of spiritual healing available in all tribes and societies. It’s an important science that can potentially help people to overcome problems that have their roots in childhood trauma. And in this book, the author shares his experience with using psychedelics to heal his childhood trauma.

Healing with Psychedelics: Essays and Poems on Spirituality and Transformation by Chris Becker describes the authors personal search for healing and wellness by sharing this beautifully intimate collection of stories and poetry. This book is a thirty-year journey of spiritual practice, psychological work, and professional achievement.

The overall tone was simply imparting knowledge, personal experience and wisdom in a gentle and generous way. The authors words will help to better equip you to interpret and handle life in a whole new way, which in turn will bring peace, love and joy into your life. If you are looking for inspiration and encouragement in the face of serious issues, this would come as highly recommended read from me.

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VanWest The Past

VanWest The Past by Kenneth Thomas
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A well-crafted intergalactic, dystopian space adventure...

VanWest: The Past by Kenneth Thomas is book 1 in the VanWest series. I thought the book was superbly written, with brilliantly drawn settings and characters. The author weaved a well-crafted intergalactic, dystopian space adventure that will captivate the reader from the opening chapter. There’s plenty of imagery in the writing style that makes you feel you are right there in the story, and that’s something I look for in a good book. The vivid descriptions of the settings, situations, and the people were stunning. The author’s use of genuine dialogue further added to the overall atmosphere of authenticity. Highly recommended.

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